FIFTY GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS TO READ THIS SUMMER

FIFTY GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS TO READ THIS SUMMER

By Valerie Strauss May 30

Here, from Scholastic Instructor, is a list of 50 great books for kids to read over the summer. The list, which was assembled with the help of teachers and others, offers books that will appeal to students from pre-K through eighth grade. Categories of books are humor, fantasy and adventure, nonfiction, realistic fiction, magic and mystery, picture books.

HUMOR

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

By Kelly Jones, illustrated by Katie Kath. Grades 4–6.

In letters to her dearly departed abuelita and others, Sophie worries about missing L.A., her dad’s unemployment, and poultry thieves. Her voice rings true in this tale of family, adventure, and raising chickens.

Return to Augie Hobble

By Lane Smith. Grades 4–7.

“This has a little bit of everything: twisted fairy tales, werewolves, bullies, and humor.”

—Karen Arendt, librarian, T. J. Connor Elementary, Scottsville, NY

The Terrible Two

By Jory John and Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Grades 4–6.

Far be it from us to condone pranking, but if we were to, we’d recommend this very funny manual on the art. Plus, there are cows, goofy drawings, shouting principals, and other stuff preteens will find hilarious.

Petlandia

By Peter Hannan. Grades 2–5.

A fiendish alpha cat, her dim-witted canine nemesis, and a lovesick hamster declare independence from humans and form the nation of Petlandia. Power struggles ensue as rats, snakes, and even fleas demand a voice. Sublimely immature.

Frank Einstein and the ¬Electro-Finger

By Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Brian Biggs. Grades 3–6.

“It has action and adventure, it’s graphic-intensive, and it has a superhero vibe. I just won’t mention the science part too loudly.” —Kendra Patterson, librarian, Andrews (TX) Middle School

Cassidy’s Guide to Everyday Etiquette (and Obfuscation)

By Sue Stauffacher. Grades 3–7.

Worst Summer Ever? That’s what it looks like to tomboy Cassidy, who is dreading the five weeks she must spend in etiquette classes. Not to mention her mother’s tendency to use words like obfuscation.

Dragons at Crumbling Castle

By Terry Pratchett. Grades 4–7.

From the fertile imagination of the late best-selling author comes a ridiculously droll collection of stories that are one part Roald Dahl, one part Monty Python, and the rest pure Pratchett.

Rude Cakes

By Rowboat Watkins. Grades K–2.

This pretty pink cake is a nasty piece of work—pushy and rude—until it’s taught a lesson about manners by a goofy troupe of colorful Cyclopses.

FANTASY AND ADVENTURE

Circus Mirandus

By Cassie Beasley. Grades 4–8.

“Some books take readers to different places or let us experience fantastical lands, but Circus Mirandus brings the magic to our world.” —Jen Vincent, coordinator of instructional technology, School District U-46, Elgin, IL

Last of the Sandwalkers

By Jay Hosler. Grades 4–7.

In this funny, adventure-filled graphic novel deeply rooted in science, a society of beetles, led by young scientist Lucy, explores the precarious desert world outside its palm tree.

Ratscalibur

By Josh Lieb. Grades 3–7.

With his super-heightened sense of smell (chicken bones—yum!) and a magical spork dubbed Ratscalibur in hand, kid-turned-rat Joey fights to save a kingdom of fellow rats.

The Princess in Black

By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Grades K–3.

Princesses in black are bored by teatime, gallop breakneck on jet-black ponies (not pink-maned unicorns), and rescue boys from monsters. Finally, the perfect role-model princess!

Nightbird

By Alice Hoffman. Grades 5–8.

In a place where monsters might be real, 12-year-old Twig stores up her hurts “as if they were a tower made of fallen stars”—until she finds a friend to help her break a curse and release her family’s secrets.

Pip Bartlett’s Guide to Magical Creatures

By Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater. Grades 3–6.

High-strung unicorns and lilac-horned Pomeranians are a few of Pip’s allies as she battles villains like government functionary Mrs. Dreadbatch in this fantastical field guide to magical creatures.

The Lost Track of Time

By Paige Britt, illustrated by Lee White. Grades 4–7.

“For fans of The Phantom Tollbooth, Alice in Wonderland, puns, space-time continuums, philosophy, and, most of all, those who know the value of a good idea, this book is a must-read.” —Brian Wyzlic, teacher, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Marine City, MI

Interstellar Cinderella

By Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt. Grades K–3.

Antimatter hammers and sonic socket wrenches are the tools a space-age Cinderella uses to win the heart of the prince—and the happy ending involves her agreeing to be his chief mechanic, not his royal bride.

NONFICTION

Welcome to the Neighborwood

By Shawn Sheehy. Grades K–2.

This intricate pop-up book explores the dwellings of seven animals that share the same forest home.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

By Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Qualls. Grades K–3.

Emmanuel was born with only one functioning leg, but that didn’t stop him from achieving great things. As a child, he hopped to school two miles each way; as an adult, he bicycled 400 miles across Ghana for disability awareness.

Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution

By Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch.  Grades 1–4.

Young history buffs will love this story about a Philadelphia baker who helped change the course of the Revolutionary War with gingerbread—and kindness.

Growing up Pedro

By Matt Tavares. Grades 2–5.

This picture-book bio captures the struggles, and the deep brotherly bond, of MLB legends Pedro and Ramón Martinez—from their impoverished upbringing in the Dominican Republic to their glory days in the big leagues.

A Nest Is Noisy

By Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long. Grades K–3.

Whether it’s the foamy home of a frog or the sandy one of a sea turtle, this book reminds readers that all nests bustle with activity.

Why’d They Wear That?: Fashion As the Mirror of History

By Sarah Albee. Grades 5–8.

Ever wonder why ruff collars became all the rage during the Renaissance or how sneakers came to be? Learn from this detailed account of fashion through the ages.

The Founding Fathers!: The Horse-Ridin’, Fiddle-Playin’, Book-Readin’, Gun-Totin’ ¬Gentlemen Who Started America

By Jonah Winter, illustrated by Barry Blitt. Grades 3–5.

“Kids will love learning about the early leaders of our country, and the good, the bad, and the ugly character traits of each one.” —Holly Mueller, fifth- and sixth-grade ELA gifted intervention specialist, Kings Local School District (OH)

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives

By Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda, with Liz Welch. Grades 6–8.

Caitlin and Martin lived a world apart—she in the U.S., he in Zimbabwe—but they were brought together by a pen pal exchange that lasted six years. This uplifting memoir will have students reaching for their pens.

REALISTIC FICTION

A Handful of Stars

By Cynthia Lord. Grades 3–7.

“Lord weaves themes of acceptance, friendship, and bravery into a novel that also celebrates the beauty of nature and the richness that animal companions bring to our lives.” —Jennifer Brittin, K–5 media teacher, Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School, Hammonton, NJ

The Penderwicks in Spring

By Jeanne Birdsall. Grades 3–7.

The fourth installment of this series finds the Penderwicks with a new sibling named Lydia. It’s an endearing story about friendship and family.

Listen, Slowly

By Thanhhà Lai. Grades 5–8.

On a trip to Vietnam, California-born protagonist Mai struggles to find a balance between the culture she was raised in and her family’s roots. Unlike Lai’s award-winningInside Out and Back Again, this story is told in prose instead of poetry, but it’s equally as powerful.

Gone Crazy in Alabama

By Rita Williams-Garcia. Grades 4–6.

The award-winning author rounds out a trilogy about three sisters as they travel from Brooklyn to Alabama to visit their grandmother.

Dear Hank Williams

By Kimberly Willis Holt. Grades 4–7.

Eleven-year-old Tate P. Ellerbee writes a series of letters to country music star Hank Williams as part of a class assignment in a relatable story of family, tragedy, and love.

Ice Cream Summer

By Peter Sís. Grades K–3.

Sís cleverly slips lessons on history, vocabulary, and math into this tale of summer fun as Joe narrates everything he’s learned in a letter to his grandfather.

The Way Home Looks Now

By Wendy Wan-Long Shang. Grades 4–7.

Amid family loss, a boy turns to baseball in hopes of bringing some normalcy back to his homelife. This touching story is more than a sports book—it’s a testament to the healing power of family.

Fish in a Tree

By Linda Mullaly Hunt. Grades 4–7.

Ally struggles with dyslexia, which she covers up with troublemaking antics. Mr. Daniels—who reminds his students of the maxim that no one should “judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree”—is a wonderful role model.

Lost in the Sun

By Lisa Graff. Grades 5–8.

Perfect for students preparing for middle school, Graff’s latest is all about making a fresh start. Trent struggles with a tragic accident in his past while trying to start anew.

MAGIC & MYSTERY

The Island of Dr. Libris

By Chris Grabenstein. Grades 3–7.

Stuck at an old cabin with a broken iPhone, 12-year-old Billy braces himself for a boring summer—until he opens a book.

Echo

By Pam Muñoz Ryan. Grades 5–9.

Set before and during WWII, this magical tale follows an enchanted harmonica and the lives it touches as it travels through space and time.

Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Sweetest Heist in History

By Octavia Spencer. Grades 4–7.

“The diverse cast of characters solves an intriguing mystery that is more interesting than ones in many clue-oriented books.” —Karen Yingling, teacher-librarian, Blendon Middle School, Westerville, OH

Pieces and Players

By Blue Balliett. Grades 3–7.

Thirteen masterpieces go missing from a museum, and finding the perpetrator might be tough—but it’s nothing compared with becoming a teenager.

Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of Room 11

By N. Griffin, illustrated by Kate Hindley. Grades 2–5.

When Room 11’s hamster goes missing, Smashie and best friend Dontel are on the case. Great for developing logical reasoning skills.

Wiilliam & the Missing ¬Masterpiece

By Helen Hancocks. Grades K–2.

Crisis in Paris: The Mona Cheesa is missing! William, cat detective, agrees to put his vacation on hold and use his observational skills to save the day.

Honey

By Sarah Weeks. Grades 3–7.

When Melody overhears her widowed father calling someone “honey,” she sets out to track down the mystery woman—and discovers a connection to her mother.

Bayou Magic

By Jewell Parker Rhodes. Grades 3–7.

New Orleans native Maddy is nervous about spending a summer with her grandmother, but she soon discovers the magic of the bayou—and her own ancestors.

Book Scavenger

By Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Grades 4–9.

Emily’s family is always moving. One constant: Book Scavenger, a game where players solve puzzles to find books. When the game’s creator is attacked, Emily embarks on the ultimate scavenger hunt.

PICTURE BOOKS

Last Stop on Market Street

By Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Grades 2–5.

CJ’s nana helps him see beyond poverty to the beauty around them. De la Peña tackles questions of class and privilege in a way that will resonate.

Sea Rex

By Molly Idle. Grades K–1.

Cordelia enjoys a day of fun with her little brother, a basket of beach supplies, and a few dinosaurs. Kids will absorb summer safety tips while laughing out loud at Idle’s subtle humor.

An Ambush of Tigers: A Wild Gathering of Collective Nouns

By Betsy R. Rosenthal, illustrated by Jago. Grades K–3.

“Who could resist the shiver of sharks with their scarves and hats? I highly recommend this for any language arts class.” —Suzanne Costner, library media specialist, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN

Duncan the Story Dragon

By Amanda Driscoll. Grades K–2.

Duncan has a problem: He loves to read, but when he gets excited, his fire-breath burns the story up!

Marilyn’s Monster

By Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Matt Phelan. Grades K–3.

In a world where every kid has his or her own monster, Marilyn hasn’t found hers yet. Rather than wait as told, she sets off to find her monster—and prove that it doesn’t always pay to play by the rules.

999 frogs and a Little Brother

By Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari Murakami. Grades K–2.

When the smallest tadpole in the family meets a baby crayfish, he is thrilled to be mistaken for the crayfish’s big brother. What begins as a funny misunderstanding becomes a sweet friendship.

How to Read a Story

By Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel. Grades K–3.

Messner takes young readers from the library shelf to “the end” with time-tested tips such as “Find a cozy reading spot…just be careful not to get stuck.” What better way to get kids excited about reading?

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music

By Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López. Grades K–3.

Based on a true story, this vibrant book stars a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who dreamed of playing the drums at a time when female drummers were taboo. The poetic verse has a beat of its own.